Shoe and leather workers and repairers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Mean (average) | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 90th percentile | $52,550 | $25.26 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Shoe and leather workers and repairers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 29 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,970 | $27,060 | $44,880 | 60 | 0.63 |
| Arizona | $45,510 | $36,570 | $45,510 | 120 | 0.77 |
| California | $38,130 | $35,860 | $47,650 | 510 | 0.58 |
| Colorado | $36,170 | $32,450 | $46,380 | 60 | 0.4 |
| Florida | $35,540 | $28,760 | $47,610 | 400 | 0.84 |
| Georgia | $32,470 | $29,110 | $41,020 | 70 | 0.31 |
| Idaho | $40,000 | $18,330 | $50,370 | 40 | 0.96 |
| Illinois | $43,730 | $31,200 | $58,920 | 200 | 0.68 |
| Indiana | $36,810 | $29,420 | $74,940 | 80 | 0.55 |
| Maine | $38,030 | $36,040 | $46,660 | 160 | 5.37 |
| Massachusetts | $46,550 | $36,180 | $54,980 | 500 | 2.85 |
| Michigan | $35,940 | $30,180 | $48,050 | 150 | 0.72 |
| Minnesota | $42,940 | $34,030 | $57,970 | 200 | 1.39 |
| Mississippi | $26,340 | $24,160 | $27,780 | 40 | 0.74 |
| Missouri | $38,700 | $28,780 | $49,070 | 240 | 1.74 |
| New Hampshire | $40,800 | $40,270 | $53,770 | 30 | 0.93 |
| New Jersey | $46,790 | $35,000 | $59,340 | 230 | 1.1 |
| New York | $42,100 | $37,280 | $49,850 | ||
| North Carolina | $38,020 | $30,160 | $47,410 | 300 | 1.25 |
| Ohio | $35,950 | $26,480 | $46,210 | 120 | 0.47 |
| Oklahoma | $30,720 | $27,990 | $43,850 | 30 | 0.41 |
| Oregon | Data unavailable | 200 | 2.13 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $34,870 | $28,210 | $53,900 | 120 | 0.41 |
| Tennessee | $52,520 | $34,030 | $52,550 | 330 | 2.07 |
| Texas | $30,620 | $17,910 | $42,720 | 1,860 | 2.76 |
| Utah | $38,700 | $33,080 | $49,100 | 70 | 0.86 |
| Virginia | $37,230 | $28,820 | $48,150 | 70 | 0.37 |
| Washington | $48,310 | $36,420 | $90,210 | 100 | 0.57 |
| Wisconsin | $44,000 | $31,570 | $48,060 | 460 | 3.25 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for shoe and leather workers and repairers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,000. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 26.4%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for shoe and leather workers and repairers
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Shoe, Boot and Leather Repair CIP 48.0304
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Dye, soak, polish, paint, stamp, stitch, stain, buff, or engrave leather or other materials to obtain desired effects, decorations, or shapes.
- Cut out parts, following patterns or outlines, using knives, shears, scissors, or machine presses.
- Construct, decorate, or repair leather products according to specifications, using sewing machines, needles and thread, leather lacing, glue, clamps, hand tools, or rivets.
- Repair and recondition leather products such as trunks, luggage, shoes, saddles, belts, purses, and baseball gloves.
- Align and stitch or glue materials such as fabric, fleece, leather, or wood, to join parts.
- Inspect articles for defects, and remove damaged or worn parts, using hand tools.
- Drill or punch holes and insert or attach metal rings, handles, and fastening hardware, such as buckles.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Bookkeeping software
- Financial accounting software
- Inventory tracking software
- Sale processing software
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.
Common job titles: Boot Maker, Cobbler, Leather Worker, Saddle and Harness Maker, Shoe Cutter, Shoe Maker, Shoe Repairer, Shoe Repairman, Stitcher.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do shoe and leather workers and repairers make?
The national median annual wage for shoe and leather workers and repairers was $37,800 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $28,210 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $52,550. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do shoe and leather workers and repairers need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is shoe and leather workers and repairers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of shoe and leather workers and repairers to change -6.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay shoe and leather workers and repairers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Tennessee ($52,520), Washington ($48,310), New Jersey ($46,790). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.